Footprints in the Sand

‘My precious child, I love you and will never leave you.” – Footprints

You may or may not have come across the piece of writing Footprints before. If not it is a famous piece of religious writing which has comforted many a person’s disheartened soul. I was reading it recently whilst an idea niggled at my brain for a story to accompany it, primarily to help put its meaning into context. Hopefully it will help you relate your own past events to the words of the original piece (written in italics).

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.

I couldn’t remember it before, but dreams are sometimes hard to catch. Peculiar things prompt the memory of a dream, much the same as this as I run my fingers through the soft sharp sand.

I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Could this be a vision? He did not introduce himself, but I knew instantly it was Him. I cannot remember his face.

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

Strange scenes, important scenes. Ones which I wouldn’t have thought significant, but have scarred or caused unknown happy weeping.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

Mine closer to the shore, more insecure than those beside me. The ones next to me could be anyone’s: family’s protecting, friend’s company, enemy’s fearing…

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

The Lord’s describing all of these adjectives. Protecting me from harm, companionship in loneliness and fear of the Lord’s power.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

The waves roared all around as I gulped sea water.

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I reached out for my friend’s hand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

I could not find it.

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

We were brought onto the lifeboat.

there was only one set of footprints.

We were losing her.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

I had never prayed before, but in those last crucial seconds of my friend’s life I prayed like I had never prayed before. I cursed myself for not finding Him sooner, blaming myself for what had happened.

“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

I changed the way I looked at you. I promised I would always remember you. I promised I would always follow you. I promised I would even give up my life to you, if just to save hers.

You’d walk with me all the way.

I wasn’t scared anymore. I focused my energy on holding her hand. Walking all the way with her like You would with me. But I wouldn’t let my faith slip. It wouldn’t be a temporary promise.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

I held her hand as they resuscitated her. I tried to hold Yours’ too…

there was only one set of footprints.

But I was alone. I tried to find her, I tried to find her hard. I tried to find Your living creation in her.

I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

I hated You. I cursed myself for it, but now I wanted her back more than ever. I saw the life boat men’s faces, and felt her slipping away.

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

She choked up water onto the boat deck. She spluttered and gurgled up never ending sea water. But I still had hope.

During your times of trial and suffering,

Her lungs heaved up and down limply, gulping sea air. I felt You give her strength.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

She blinked and looked at me, and I hauled a blanket over her.

It was then that I carried you.”

She held my hand so tight it hurt.